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A RETROVIRUS is "a virus that is composed not of DNA but of RNA. Retroviruses have an enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, that gives them the unique property of transcribing their RNA into DNA after entering a cell. The retroviral DNA can then integrate into the chromosomal DNA of the host cell, to be expressed there. HIV is a retrovirus." https://lnkd.in/eGM2VGa View in LinkedIn

SHOT THROUGH. "Post-insertional recombinations, deletions, and mutations have rendered all known human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) non-infectious. However some, particularly the most recently acquired proviruses of the HERV-K(HML-2) family, can expresses viral proteins and produce viral particles." http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2013.00246/full View in LinkedIn

PROMOTOR NEEDED. "Retroviruses carry their genome as RNA, and because they replicate via a DNA intermediate, they must also carry the sequence for the promoter that will drive the expression of the genomic RNA." https://lnkd.in/eU8gmtJ View in LinkedIn

RIDDLED WITH MUTATIONS. "Because of their relatively long residence in the genome, the majority of HERV elements are riddled with deleterious mutations, large deletions, and insertions of other repetitive elements." https://lnkd.in/eW3mbzE View in LinkedIn

OBLIGATE STEP. "In animal genomes, the majority of EVEs are derived from reverse transcribing RNA (rtRNA) viruses (i.e. retroviruses). Retroviruses are the only animal viruses that integrate into the genome of the host cell as an obligate step in their replication strategy, and are thus predisposed to enter the host germ line." https://lnkd.in/bBjWGE5 View in LinkedIn

FORENSIC TRACKS. "The discovery that a broad range of viruses are represented by EVEs in animal genomes indicates that viral ‘molecular fossils’ can provide the basis for robust, time-scaled, macroevolutionary studies across a range of animal and virus groups." https://lnkd.in/bBjWGE5 View in LinkedIn

AND CAN BE STABLE. "Some researchers are pointing to emerging data on these viral "fossils" as indication that many viruses are in fact ancient—and have changed little since their material was integrated into host genomes." https://lnkd.in/bX9m4fJ View in LinkedIn

HIGHLY ADAPTIVE. "Many viruses can undergo incredibly rapid adaptation, eluding immune systems that learn to recognize previous strains." https://lnkd.in/bX9m4fJ View in LinkedIn

DEEP INTERCONNECTEDNESS. "Every nature, every modeled form, every creature, exists in and with each other. They will dissolve again into their own proper root. For the nature of matter is dissolved into what belongs to its nature." A religious text supplied by my friend, noted UK naturalist, Matthew Oates. Not my usual diet, but seemed curiously fitting in this long section on mobile genetic elements. Maybe JC was a geneticist? https://lnkd.in/e3HbZSV View in LinkedIn

SHARDS. "Similar to artifacts in an archeological museum, time has left its traces on these retroviral elements and very often only “shards” of the once complete sequence remain." https://lnkd.in/eYf5f2J View in LinkedIn